Deal aims to resolve complaints over bar’s disruption

Published: Tuesday, February 5, 2013 at 6:00 p.m.

Last Modified: Wednesday, February 6, 2013 at 12:41 p.m.

The state’s top alcohol-enforcement official issued a warning Tuesday to a downtown Houma nightclub that has sparked complaints about repeated violence and disruption.

The action follows a Jan. 25 public meeting in Houma led by state Alcohol and Tobacco Control Commissioner Troy Hebert. During the meeting, Hebert gave City Club owner Mike Fesi Jr. a temporary reprieve from a threatened closure depending on how cooperative he is in addressing residents’ concerns.

In the 10 days since, Hebert said Fesi and local officials have come to an agreement to ensure the club will operate responsibly or face penalties that can result in the revocation of the club’s alcohol permit.

“These items are very sufficient in trying to address the concerns that not only the officials had but also what the residents have,” Hebert said. “If the terms of this condition are broken, then ATC will reserve the right to come back and revisit this issue to suspend the permit.”

The terms are:

- The minimum age for entry into the club will be raised from 18 to 21.

- Fesi will pay a security detail for downtown Houma to keep patrons safe from loiterers and monitor other activities.

- Music from the club will be monitored closely to prevent violating the sound ordinance.

- Doors to the business will not be left open. Officers present suggested he invest in a sound board to help with the sound issue.

- Security personnel employed by City Club will escort the bar patrons to their cars.

- Bar patrons will be encouraged to use the side door when exiting.

- Last call for alcohol and winding down the music will be at 1:45 a.m.

- Load capacity will be monitored by City Club employees.

- Before installing any interior walls, approval will be obtained from the state fire marshal.

- Employees have agreed to pick up the trash from the exterior of the building during and after events.

The change to make the club 21 and older will apply during regular hours, but Fesi said when the club puts on live bands, it will be 18 and older.

“Legally, we don’t have to do that,” Fesi said. “But to be able to try and diffuse a lot of the underage drinking, we’re going to have to implement some policies to improve some things.”

Fesi said the terms are fair as long as they don’t affect his business.

“At the end of the day, we haven’t violated, but we had complaints, and we are going to work to be able to make it easier for everyone as long as we have communication and cooperation,” Fesi said. “But I’m still not going to kill my business because they don’t want quote, ‘that,’ downtown.”

<p>The state's top alcohol-enforcement official issued a warning Tuesday to a downtown Houma nightclub that has sparked complaints about repeated violence and disruption.</p><p>The action follows a Jan. 25 public meeting in Houma led by state Alcohol and Tobacco Control Commissioner Troy Hebert. During the meeting, Hebert gave City Club owner Mike Fesi Jr. a temporary reprieve from a threatened closure depending on how cooperative he is in addressing residents' concerns.</p><p>In the 10 days since, Hebert said Fesi and local officials have come to an agreement to ensure the club will operate responsibly or face penalties that can result in the revocation of the club's alcohol permit.</p><p>“These items are very sufficient in trying to address the concerns that not only the officials had but also what the residents have,” Hebert said. “If the terms of this condition are broken, then ATC will reserve the right to come back and revisit this issue to suspend the permit.”</p><p>The terms are:</p><p>- The minimum age for entry into the club will be raised from 18 to 21.</p><p>- Fesi will pay a security detail for downtown Houma to keep patrons safe from loiterers and monitor other activities.</p><p>- Music from the club will be monitored closely to prevent violating the sound ordinance. </p><p>- Doors to the business will not be left open. Officers present suggested he invest in a sound board to help with the sound issue.</p><p>- Security personnel employed by City Club will escort the bar patrons to their cars.</p><p>- Bar patrons will be encouraged to use the side door when exiting.</p><p>- Last call for alcohol and winding down the music will be at 1:45 a.m.</p><p>- Load capacity will be monitored by City Club employees.</p><p>- Before installing any interior walls, approval will be obtained from the state fire marshal.</p><p>- Employees have agreed to pick up the trash from the exterior of the building during and after events.</p><p>The change to make the club 21 and older will apply during regular hours, but Fesi said when the club puts on live bands, it will be 18 and older.</p><p>“Legally, we don't have to do that,” Fesi said. “But to be able to try and diffuse a lot of the underage drinking, we're going to have to implement some policies to improve some things.”</p><p>Fesi said the terms are fair as long as they don't affect his business.</p><p>“At the end of the day, we haven't violated, but we had complaints, and we are going to work to be able to make it easier for everyone as long as we have communication and cooperation,” Fesi said. “But I'm still not going to kill my business because they don't want quote, 'that,' downtown.”</p>